The upgrading of ties with Vietnam has captured the attention of the media and the public in the US.
Chuck Hagel, a former US Secretary of Defense, said that raising their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, co-operation, and development is good news for the two countries and for the region.
According to Hagel, it will bring additional economic benefits to both countries as there will be more exchange programs for students and young people. The two nations will understand each other better, and there will be additional opportunities for both sides.
Andrew Wells Dang, a senior expert on Vietnam at the Centre for Asian Affairs of the US Institute of Peace (USIP), said the two sides upgrading their relationship is an opportunity for them to become closer.
“This will be an opportunity for the future, an opportunity to bring policies of both nations closer to each other and closer to their ideals. Vietnam, for example, wants to befriend all countries for peace and development. President Biden emphasized co-operation with allies and partners around the world, including more co-operative relations with Vietnam,” he said.
This is how the US is engaging with Southeast Asia more strongly. In addition to Vietnam, the US will promote links with Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand.
“For the US, elevating relations is a way to change how we think about Vietnam. The relationship between the two countries will be closer, and Vietnam will be one of America's priority countries for co-operation in Asia,” according to Andrew Wells Dang.
President Biden's visit to Vietnam has received great attention and wide coverage by the US media.
According to the Washington Post, President Biden has brought the US closer to Vietnam through upgrading relations in a way which will connect the two countries diplomatically in a more open way.
The newspaper quoted US officials as saying that Vietnam represents an important relationship for the US and the two sides will continue to strive to strengthen this relationship.
The Wall Street Journal said that the US has entered a new and enhanced diplomatic partnership with Vietnam. It said that the US has pledged a series of initiatives through which investments in trade and high-level contacts between the two countries are expected to take place more frequently.